Randomised controlled trials of biologic immunosuppressive agents in TAK
| Study identification | TAK subtype | N | Intervention | Control | Primary outcome | Results (I) | Results (C) | P value | RoB |
| Nakaoka et al 53 | Relapse | 36: 18 (I) vs 18 (C) | GC (at least 0.2 mg/kg/day) + TCZ 162 mg subcutaneously/week (after ≥1 week from remission after flare) | GC+placebo | Time to relapse | HR, 0.41 (95% CI 0.15 to 1.1) | 0.0596 | Low | |
| Langford et al 42 | New/Relapse | 26: 15 (I) vs 11 (C) | PRED 40–60 mg/day → tapered to 20 mg/day at week 12, plus from week 12 if patients in remission: ABA 10 mg/kg intravenously on days 1, 15 and 29, and week 8 | GC+ABA intravenously for the first 12 weeks → GC+placebo | Relapse-free survival rate at 12 months | 22% | 40% | 0.853 | Low |
ABA, abatacept; C, control; GC, glucocorticoid;I, intervention; PRED, prednisone;RoB, risk of bias; TAK, Takayasu arteritis; TCZ, tocilizumab.